A Message for Christmas: Christmas is My Favourite Time of Year

American singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers released this famous song in 1981. The words were written by Peter McCann.

Rogers presents a message that is timely: he says that the 3 Wise Men were wise to find the child in Bethlehem and that that same child is alive and drawing us all to Himself; he says that the child is Jesus and His story is a tale of love that never dies, like the laughter in a child’s eyes.

Rogers refers to a child because children get so excited about Christmas: the toys, decorations, laughter, playing, etc. He also references children because they are innocent, untainted by the cares and pains of life, and so open to sheer joy and glee. Children are also humble, sincere, quick to forgive, and to focus on the good in others.

This approach on the part of kids represents what is noblest and best about human nature as a whole. All people are called to approach life in a “child-like” way – not “childish” but “child-like.”  When we can do so it brings more fulfillment and peace to us than we can ever get from being negative, mean-spirited, unkind, judgmental, or spiteful. We are called to nurture and to encourage this perspective in ourselves and in others and to live by it every day, difficult though that might be.  In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said that except we become like little children (sincere, kind thinking, and accepting), we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven (fullness of life, the best that this world and the next have to offer).

God sent his son, Jesus, into a world that had so much that was good about it, but it was a world that also had alot going wrong. Jesus came to introduce a different way, to call us to a path that honors the value of people and wishes for well-being and fulfillment that is beyond this world.  He came to bring us into a new relationship with the Creator, “life more abundantly”.   John 10:10.

The Christmas carols, decorations, gifts, food, junkanoo, parties, family gatherings, and fun all have their place, but they are externals. The deep truth is the call to be our better selves, a call that the gospel message of the Son of God proclaims.

Human beings, institutions like the church, organizations, communities, and even some of us, from time to time, have failed to embrace and live this message. Some of us have even behaved in a way that was the opposite of this message. Shame on us.  This is unfortunate, but it does not take away from the value, authenticity, power, and relevance of the message.

So what can we do to represent Him as better messengers?

1. Deepen our relationship with God and with each other.
2. Take the things of God more seriously as components that are necessary for us to live our best lives.
3. Private and corporate worship as “messengers” must be taken more seriously. It is not just “running through” prayers or going to church.  It must spring from a burning desire inside us to acknowledge God, to connect with Him, and to touch others in prayer, in action, and in fellowship.
4. Take more time to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17 and James 5:16 b).
5. Take more time to study God’s Word, i.e., read and reflect upon your bible (Psalms 119:105).
6. Be more thankful, no matter what your circumstances. Thanksgiving is not simply a word or an action, but an attitude that controls our outlook and flavours our world (1 Thessalonians 5:16 and 18).
7. Be more sharing. The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14 is about Jesus’ mighty power – but it is also a parable about the power of pooled resources, i.e., sharing.  So be more giving of yourself, your time, your interest in others, your kind words, thoughtfulness, care, and your possessions and money.  If more of us individuals do so, the sum total of good would be exponential.
8. Give God the praise, honour, and glory that God deserves (Psalms 150:6).

We cannot make Christmas merry by the wave of a magic wand, but we can touch others and help to create an environment where people can feel better about themselves and their space and have a more positive outlook on life and the world.  While an act may bring joy and relief, a better home, workplace, school, church, or community makes for lasting joy and peace.

Let’s get to work, folks.

Have a merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

+LZB